See the Director's The Odyssey Preview the Way It Wasn't Meant for Viewing.
The acclaimed filmmaker's mythic action epic, The Odyssey, stands as a movie audiences have been anticipating since its announcement. It firmly sits among the most hotly anticipated films of 2026. As a pre-Christmas treat, a preview has now been released, even if it's compromised due to the platform's low-quality encoding—maybe illustrating why Nolan initially kept the preview exclusive to cinemas.
A First Glimpse of the Stellar Ensemble
The debut footage reveals Matt Damon portraying Odysseus. We also see Tom Holland playing the son and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. During an emotional scene, Penelope asks Odysseus to promise his safe homecoming, only for him to look up and question what occurs should he fail. Furthermore, the preview provides a quick, obscured look at Polyphemus the Cyclops, from whom sheep are Odysseus and his crew steal during their arduous journey.
Adapted from a cornerstone of Western literature, The Odyssey follows the epic journey of the legendary King of Ithaca. After his triumph at Troy, which is depicted in Homer's Iliad, the king faces a long and perilous road home.
Legendary Obstacles and a Star-Studded Lineup
On his travels, the hero encounters numerous obstacles and mythical beings. These include the enchantress Circe, who transforms men into swine, and the deceptive Sirens. Despite these trials, his sworn oath is to overcome anything to reunite with Penelope and Telemachus on his home island.
The adaptation's cast boasts an impressive lineup. Joining Damon, Holland, and Hathaway is Charlize Theron as the cunning Circe, together with Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal.
A Story Repeatedly Told
Homer's epic has seen numerous adaptations throughout history. Examples include modern retellings to a 1999 ballet. It has even been adapted into a musical titled Epic: The Musical, released in the form of a nine-album collection.
A full-length preview has been highly anticipated since the film's announcement and a short teaser clip that previously played exclusively in theaters. That footage later made its way online shortly thereafter.
To see a clearer version, the preview available via the film's official social channel may provide enhanced visual quality.
The Odyssey will debut in IMAX theaters worldwide next summer.